The non-partisan Congressional drive for expensive bailouts concerns me tremendously. The tact that the President-elect is forcefully behind them is greater cause for concern. I do not see how it will not lead to national bankruptcy, a far worse predicament than a business, city or state bankruptcy. In addition, while bailouts may send a shallow message of government help, they explicitly send an unhealthy message of reward for failure to the instigators, those less fortunate on or attached to the sinking ship, and citizens all. Rewarding failure sits poorly with Wall Street and it weakens the strong and makes the weak more government dependent.

Unfortunate ones who are worth their salt will with vigor seek and obtain new jobs in relatively short order. A Clintonian welfare program will offer the dead wood an opportunity to float. It’s a strong, natural pruning process that Wall Street understands and respects.

The resiliency of the free enterprise working in a democracy will support an economic phoenix with minimal government meddling. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, albeit starting four years late after the 1929 crash, did some good things but little to rejuvenate the national economy despite hundreds of millions spent. I do not understand the new wisdom suggesting a similar approach today will have better results. We live in a democratic United States, not a socialist state. Should we not legislate accordingly?

Marc S. Stewart

Agatewood Road